Breathes Life
What is literature, and why should people read it? These two questions normally surface on the first day of English and literature classes. In fact, as one Introduction to Literature class ended the 2017 Spring semester with student presentations, the final presenter, a middle-age auto mechanic with oily stained hands and a battered countenance, exclaimed most eloquently, “Literature is an alive and breathing thing. It gives life to the past and the present. It makes me know, feel, and love. Without literature, I would be nothing.” Juxtaposed appearance versus thought shows the power and impact of literature. Without literature, we would be nothing; we would have no thought, feelings, or life. By reading, sharing, discussing, and writing, literature breathes life into the breathless. Students are not the only ones who grapple with these questions. What is literature? - is the very question Terry Eagleton opens with in his book Literary Theory: An Introduction. Moving away from the nontraditional student, how does a prominent professor and esteemed literary critic answer the same question? Remarkably, he dittos that of the mechanic. In Eagleton’s opening chapter “The Rise of English,” he responds in much the same way by asserting literature’s “task is to transform society in the name of those energies and values which art embodies” (17). Eagleton adds further elaboration to his view of literature’s development and definition; in his chapter “The Rise of
Literature has shaped civilizations, politics, exposed injustice and has allowed people to connect with aspirations and emotions. It gives people insight into the minds of other individuals and or a detailed preview of human experiences. If we pay no attention to literature we might not be able to question some of our most important beliefs, examine our lives and give them deeper meanings. In the essay “The Dark Night of the Soul” by Richard Miller, he says “ I have doubt, you see, doubts silently shared by many who spend their days teaching others the literary arts. Forever fall on deaf ears, what might the literature arts be said to be good for?” (239). I can see that he has become concerned about how others see literature in modern time.
Literature is important to allow readers to escape reality within the pages of a book, and also to preserve the past by reading about personal experiences and understanding the norms of different time periods. It is beneficial to provide a new world for the reader, but it shows our history and how it has changed over the years. Many fiction writers hint at real-world experiences or topics and it is up to the reader to interpret the theme of the literature. Authors write to preserve our past and to show a common theme as well as open the door to allow the reader to delve into the words on the page.
Literature is rolling hills and fields of daisies. It is black smoke billowing from narrow streets. It is twinkling lights and rivers of gold-- and the dark secrets hiding behind them. Literature encompasses both the hopes and dreams of humanity. It is the purest form of human existence and those who pursue it are the messengers of times past to our future selves. The quote by Amy Lowell, “All books are either dreams or swords, / You can cut, or you can drug, with words” (“Sword Blades and Poppy Seed”), exemplifies the idea that literature has a profound effect on human emotions by reflecting all aspects of the human experience.
Literature is a work of art that is constructed with the fundamental purpose of conveying meaning and messages to readers. Although the idea that is expressed is decided by the author, its underlying messages can be interpreted in various ways by different readers. Literature often explores the gap between reality and imagination. Such an examination can easily lead to a false sense of reality, which promotes the oversimplification of life at a great cost. By oversimplifying reality, people may turn a blind eye to issues that need to be addressed for the sake of social justice. Often times, facing reality is despised because it may create problems that individuals are unable to solve. This is important to note because literature has the
What I think is being said is literature can save some people lives. I agree with this statement because some things you read in literature can be a life lesson for some. It could make a person want to change their life around. It could also make one want to do better and do right by others. Therefore, I think everyone should read a piece of literature at some point in their
Literature comes in all forms; its basically everything around us. Movies, books, newspaper, songs, posters, magazines, these are examples of literature. Like the many forms of literature, it also has many purposes; literature is used as a source of entertainment, it in forms people, and it also enlightens them with knowledge. Ever since we entered school, we have constantly been questioned, asked to reflect upon what we read and to analysis what we read, watch and see. All we have been doing since day one had been analysing literature. Don’t you think there must be a reason for all these years of analysing everything? I’ve finally come to the conclusion that all those years of analysing was to prove to us the power of literature. To some extent literature has the power to refute and/or reinforce our prejudice and bias. Literature is able to do this because it is able to open us to the different social and cultural standing around the world, we can always connect with literature, it comes in many forms and it’s composed of facts.
The passage, “Why Literature Matters”, argued about why literature matters and how it could affect the society. In the beginning of the passage, the author establishes the problem and the proof of the problem. In the middle of the passage the author talked about how and why literature matters with proofs and evidences. And, in the end of the passage, the author talked about the effects of illiteracy on the society. Dana Gioia used facts, evidence, and call to action to persuade his audience that the decline of reading will have a negative effect on society.
Literature is social – it centers on the complexities of human relationships. Understanding this form of communication is important in connecting with an author’s ideas. I strive to someday write my own stories, and combine my love of literature and film. Most importantly, I will always remember my English teacher who taught me my most valuable
Literature is a multidimensional world full of characters, plots, and imagery that brings consistent light to an otherwise habitually dark world. Whether discussing serious or delightful aspects of the human condition, literature never ceases to teach mankind something of merit. For example, in Voltaire’s Candide, the author discusses existential subjects throughout the novel. He uses tragic events to teach and entertain his audience about the intellectual depth of the human race.
Our lives often depend on literature to assist us with our daily activities. Whether you are deep into a novel about a man embarking on an adventurous trip or simply reading the newspaper on Sunday morning, it is difficult to comprehend what you see in front of you without sufficient knowledge and skill in English. Many individuals misinterpret literature for something simple as carrying the ability to fluently read a fairytale and writing about their day in a diary. Although literature offers one the ability to read, write, and voice opinions, it also allows the reader to develop useful skills throughout the process of analyzing written work, while gaining a better understanding of humanity. This is supported in Michael Meyer’s article “The
Literature is food for the imagination, it allows you to experience another's life experiences, with a first person's perspective,
Literature is more than stories or collections of words. It has the ability to inspire a transformation of an individual even without a realization. Behind every work of literature there is a deeper meaning and a clearer reality. Often, authors will both intentionally and unintentionally disguise wisdom within a work that helps with life situations and mends the soul. It opens a door to a realm of understanding that may not have been experienced before.
Literature is a powerful tool that has sculpted my mind and the person I have presently become. Parallels of issues could be drawn from the novels and other works of literature I have read to present day, despite the age of the works of the literature. Ultimately, literature has taught me many life lessons and helped me perceive ideas such as conformity and happiness in a new light.
The power and freedom that lies between the pages of novels has the ability to transport the readers to a new world, impart a wealth of knowledge to them, offer a new perspective, and so much more. The only limit on novel are the covers that bind them, the ideas within them can be cherished and shared forever. Although written in 1837, Emerson’s quote, “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst” still holds true today. An avid reader or skilled author wields unparalleled power, power that can be used for a myriad of good, or infinite evil.
Indeed, the best works of literature are those which are of relevance to our lives today. Through their relevance, these novels continue to persist and endure on. Through their relevance, we can better comprehend the messages, the themes, and the ideas that are imbued in them. Rather than literature being contradictory and in conflict with the truth and unpleasant reality of daily life, it becomes a weapon through which we can be educated about the existential crises facing our world today. In fact, the statement above could not be more far and distant from the reality of literature today. It is fatally flawed. Literature, whilst at the surface, seems whimsical and amusing is, at its very core, a medium through which we are enlightened